How do you get started? Scrapbooking

[icebrat001]

I've never done scrapbooking, but I am very interested, and I would love to get started. I have about 600 pictures.

 

[piratesmate]

Check with your local Michaels, ACMoore, JoAnns, Hobby Lobby, etc for any beginner classes. If you know of a LSS (local scrapbook store) in your area, you can check with them also. (This is a better bet IMHO - you'd get more personal attention I'd think.) It's so much easier to start when you've got someone to help you through the first few pages - decisions about colors, placement, etc.

Basically, you just want to get your photos on paper & include the story that goes with the pix. Your pages can be simple or more decorative - your style is all up to you to decide!

I know many will suggest looking for a Creative Memories consultant to get you started. If money is not an issue, then that would be another good alternative. I found their products to be so pricey in the beginning that they actually put me off scrapping for a year or more. Don't misunderstand...they're generally worth the money, but there are cheaper alternatives to get you started if it's an issue.

I'd also suggest hanging out here & asking all your questions. It's a great group & very helpful!

 

[Stephres]

I am more of a see-and-copy learner, so scrapbooking magazines are really how I learned. I would recommend Simple Scrapbooking, it makes it very easy and then you can expand from there.

And if you hang out at your LSS (local scrapbooking store) or Michael's, you're sure to meet someone who can give you pointers. Scrappers love to share their obsession!

Good luck!

 

[pppiglet]

or a 3rd idea - just go out and buy lots of different paper, some adhesives, some embellishments, scissors, and paper trimmer and just jump on in and go for it!

 

[disney funseeker]

I have been scrappin for 3 months now.

Tried it on my own at first and then took a free beginner class at the local scrap book store. I wish I had taken the class before venturing on my own. Michael's class was good too.

Like Stephres, I also like the "Simple Scrapbooking" magazine.

Don't go out and start buying a bunch of tools, stamps, etc. like I was doing until you've learned a bit about the different products and hopefully had a chance to try some. The basic tools are a paper trimmer, good scissors and some sort of adhesive. It helps if you know someone who scraps so you can see the tools and supplies in action.

And just about everything I know, I learned here.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I think for buying products, on of the kits on QVC are a good deal for starting out. You can get the album, papers, and stickers to match and some cute idea sheets. Watching the qvc shows for ideas is also something i used to and still do. Also if you get DIY network there is a scrapbooking show on every day as well as on PBS there is a show on once a week.

 

[clovely]

or a 3rd idea - just go out and buy lots of different paper, some adhesives, some embellishments, scissors, and paper trimmer and just jump on in and go for it!

I agree with this approach. I just bought a little bit of miscellaneous supplies and played around at first. It was pretty amateurish, my stuff still is, but starting out with little or no knowledge, I think helped me figure out how I wanted to do things and not necessarily how it was supposed to be done. My pages still aren't fancy or terribly impressive (although I do get pretty inspired from time to time and do something exciting) but I think they're more genuine to a style of my own.

 

[Queenie]

Have a look around some scrapbooking websites with user galleries - twopeasinabucket is a good one. Just do some random searches in the galleries and see what other people have done.

 

[soccerchick]

Do you have a friend, co-worker, neighbor who scraps? if so, try t oget together and look at her stuff and try out some of her equipment.

I can blame an old neighbor who hooked me. She had just gotten the bug, bought a TON of CM stuff and brought me along one day when she went to get her "fix" from her consultant. I bought an album, used my pics, some paper from Michaels, and her tools to get started on my DD's first album and to do a gift album for my sister's wedding. Then I started slowly buying my own stuff. It's fun to see how I've progressed. My first pages were a bit ambitious. Then I had a mat period, a border period, a journal box period. Now I'm in a wallpapering period. I've got to start buying colored pages, but the cheap side of me is holding the shopper side back.

Have fun. It's addicting!

 

[pattyT]

I started with those 40% off coupons

bought stuff at Mieks every week -
and eventually just jumped in....

If you have any specific questions give a shout here and someone will know

I know there is a thread somewhere that lists 'basics needed' to get started ...
I bet you could search for that (the thing won't let me - to busy right now)

 

[Spinning]

Welcome to the wonderful world of scrapping! It is so much fun and soooooo addicting!
Look at the top of the board for many great ideas.
For me less is more...it is so much fun to shop and buy supplies that you will accure more stuff than you actually will ever need..trust me! LOL!
First thing I would do is sort your pictures, get a photo box and organize them. You don't have to scrap all of them but must decide if you want too.
Then I would start to look at albums. This is a personal choice, everyone will tell you something different. I love love love top loading. (the page slides into the protector from the top) It gives me more freedom to move pages around.
Others love a strap hindge album, this give you a nice base to work off of but the paper is usually white.
Once you have an album you will need:
Adhesive, make sure it is a acid free. I like hermifix tabs or creative memories tape runner.
Paper trimmer buy at least a 12 inch one.
Card stock, Basic heavy weight paper in a variety of colors
Pattern paper, this is where I am different than most, I use it very little. When I first started scrapping I loved it and would buy just cause! Which of course never went with any of my pictures...So if you like pattern paper, take your pictures with you to match it to the pictures! This will save money and frustration once you start to scrap!
Stickers...hardly use them but they do serve a purpose. Again buy what matches your pictures not what you just "Love!" (oh if I could only listen to my advice!)
Pens: for me a good black, white, gold and silver is all I use (but I have every color under the sun!)
Embellishments...Now we're talking! Love Love love them! This would be eyelets, brads, fibers, ribbon, buttons, metal things....Can't have too many! Fun to buy fun to hold fun to have! LOL! Ok so you see my down fall.....These are used to accent your pages or to make it more decorative. I say play around with some of the neat stuff out there.

Then just start! I usually trim my picture, take away things I don't like, but don't cut the pictures up too much...remember how fun it is too look at old pictures and laugh at the sofa or the old cars? You don't want to always crop that stuff out...
I make a mat to sit the pictures on. Then arrange them on your page....simple as that and you are done! Don't forget to write on your pages to tell the story!

If you can find a crop in your area go! Or even better a scrap book store (LSS). Check out twopeasinabucket.com for ideas.
Most important! Have fun!

 

[icebrat001]

Thanks everyone, I'll check it out.

 

[scrapcreator]

Welcome to the world of scrapping! You've gotten some great advice here. I see you are from northern CA - there are some really nice scrapbook stores up there. I bet they've got some wonderful beginning classes. Check out Michaels, too. Just don't get overwhelmed with all the "stuff". Enjoy!

Jeanne

 

[TiggerFamily]

I would talk to your local Creative Memories (CM) consultant and she can get you started off with everything you need. you can find a CMC near you on Creativememories.com . Good luck